Arlington is a unique place to call home — a city that embodies the perfect balance of hometown charm with all the shopping, dining, cultural, and entertainment perks found in a bustling metropolitan area located right between Dallas and Fort Worth. Not only is this community home to UTA, but there are also a number of great outdoor activities in Arlington to explore.
Lake Arlington
If you love being on the water, you will have a blast on Lake Arlington — a 2,250-acre lake that has served as a recreational and fishing hot spot since its construction was completed in 1957. There are all kinds of fun things to do, including boating, skiing, pontoon rentals, kayaking, and canoeing. For paddling enthusiasts, check out the Lake Arlington Paddling Trail, which is the first flat-water paddling trail in Texas.
Veterans Park
Arlington is home to Veterans Park, a memorial park built in 2006 that honors veterans of World War II and the Vietnam War. Take time to visit the sculptures located on 103 acres of natural beauty that also feature a high-and-bike trail, an equestrian trail, picnic tables, a performing arts stage, a playground, a community pavilion, and the city’s only disc golf course.
Golf Courses
Legendary golfer Greg Norman said, “Happiness is a long walk with a putter.” When the weather is stellar, how about a round of happiness with friends? Arlington has a number of courses for you to enjoy, including the Texas Rangers Golf Club — the only Major League Baseball-themed course in the world — which offers 18 holes, a clubhouse, a short-game facility, a practice putting green, and more. Another popular option is Tierra Verde, a 250-acre course certified as an Audubon Signature Sanctuary. If you’re looking to join a private club, check out Rolling Hills Country Club, founded in 1954 — a 6,333-yard, par-71 course.
Rush Creek Dog Park
Looking for a place where you and your canine buddy can have some outdoor fun together? Check out Rush Creek Dog Park — a seven-acre park that includes pet-friendly water fountains, dog wash stations, shaded seating, and four fenced-in areas for off-the-leash adventures. Plus, there’s 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails nearby that you can both explore.
Crystal Canyon Nature Area
If geology is your thing, head over to the Crystal Canyon Nature Area in north Arlington. It’s a neat 40-acre site with an elevation of 20 to 100 feet where unique finds have been discovered, such as marine shales, siltstones, mudstone containing inner beds of calcareous fossil clams, gypsum layers, and fine-grain sandstone.
River Legacy Park
Located along the Trinity River, River Legacy Park is 1,300 acres perfect for nature lovers. The area is a combination of bottomland forest, wetlands, and prairies home to birds, fish, mammals, and indigenous plants. There are a number of things to explore — eight miles of paved hiking/biking trails, a 10-mile mountain bike trail, a canoe launch, picnic areas, pavilions, exercise stations, and more.
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